Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-12
THE AQUEDUCT BRIDGE.
Annual Report of Col. p. C. Hafns.


sTRucTED-PR0GRKss OF THE WORK. KTC.
Col. P. c. Hams has submitted to the Chief OF
Engineers his report on the purchase and recon-
struction OF the AQueduct bridge. He states that
the construction Of the original bridge was COM
menced about 1885 by the Alexandria Canal Co.
for the purpose OF carrying their canal from its
junction With the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, in
Georgetown, across the Potomac to the Virginia
shore. The structure was originally intended to
De stone bridge, with nine arches, but as the
FUNDS were insufficient, the piers and abutments
only were built OF masonry, and the river was
spanned by wooden Burr-truSS bridge,
which carried the canal trunk In 1866 the Alex
andr1a Canal CO. leased their canal and the bridge
to Messrs. Quigley, Wells DUNCAN for term OF
had become decayed and unsafe, was replaced by
Howe truss, and the latter was subsequently
strengthened by wooden arches The structure as
thus strengthened Is now
BEING REMOVED
In 1868 the leSSees were authorized by act Of Con-
gresS to erect and maintain in connection with
the aqueduct highway bridge, and to charge
certain rates OF toll, and tho bridge was used as
hlghway bridge until 1856. For some years prior
CO CnaG uate, however, the condition OF the Drdge
was not deemed satisfactory, and two detailed ex-
amlnatl0ns OF 1t were made under the direction OF
the Chle1 OF Engineers and the results reported to
Congress.
PURCHASE OF THE BRIDGE.
Provision was made for the purchase OF the
bridge by act Of Congress- February %, 1881, but
the Alexandria Canal Co. declined to unite with the
lessees of the bridge in accordance with the pro-
visions OF the act, and the bridge was not pur-
chased. Proposals were invited for the cOnStruc-
tlOn OF bridge at the Three sisters, which was
provided by the same act, but the appropriation,
made The act OF June Fl, 1881, made an increased
appropriation, $40 OOO for the purchase and recon-
struction OF the aqueduct bridge or the construc-
ton OF bridge at the Three Sisters.
Un06r this act negotiations for purchase were
opened, but in order to insure the United States
clear title 1t was agreed that certain sums should
chase, to await judicial decision or friendly COM
promise OF certain liens and claims which had been
property. At this date there remains unpaid
Sis. 900 Of the purchase money awaiting the ad-
Justment OF the claim OF the District for certain
THE DEED DETAINED IN ALEXANDRIA.
The deed conveying the bridge to the United
States was sent to Alexandria for record in the
on1ce OF the county clerk, but its return was de-
clined except upon the payment of tax levied by
the State OF Virginia amounting to sl25: No reply
has been received to the question OF payment,
which was submitted to the Chief OF Engineers,
and the deed still remains with the county clerk
at Alexandria Ten thousand dollars OF the ap-
preparation was made available for the condemna-
ton Of the @ north aoutnent Of the bridge: Steps
Of the district attorney. Col Hams re-
fers to the necessity OF closing the bridge by the
purchase, on account OF It's dangerous condition,
and to the examination made by bridge expert
to ascertain Its true condition. In consequence OF
petition by citizens to the Secretary OF War to
have it reopened, resulting in the decision that it
was
UNSAFE FOR PUBLIC TRAVEL
The bridge was, however, kept open for the use
Of pedestrians. Col. Hams report is accompanied
slsting of Lieut.. Coils. Merrill and Hams and
Major King, to whom the plans for recon-
struction were referred, which recommended
This report covered petition from number OF
citizens expressing their views as to the import
ance an; OF a. draw % The estimated S cost OF bridge
able, and It was therefore, decided to reconstruct
WITHOUT DRAW,
leaving to Congress the question OF providing
draw by further legislation. An appropriation of
$685. 600 for this purpose contained In the def
cheney appropriation BILL which failed to become a
law.
THE NEW BRIDGE
Proposals were invited February 8, 1887, for
bridge to be built Of iron upon the existing piers
and abutments, and to have clear width OF road
way of "a feet, with two sidewalks, each feet
after careful examination Of the plans submitted
to the Mount Vernon Bridge Co. for $50 9055O, and
the CONTRACTORS agreed to complete the structure
with Breen q Feely, OF Alexandra, for the north
ern embankment and slope paving, the work to be
completed Dy August 10, 1887. since the award
Of the contract for reconstruction the preparation
OF iron for the new bridge has been In progress at
the works OF the Mount Vernon company. Little
progress has been made, however, with
the masonry. More vigorous action will be
required OF the contractors in order that
the masonry may have time to thoroughly set be-
fore any portion OF the iron superstructure is
placed upon it. Breen Feely, under their con-
tract have made good progress and have placed
in position about one-half OF the embankment
which will be required.
The financial statement shows that OF the
amount available-S240 ,OO0-$1l4,9 go was eX-
pended during the past fiscal year. The outstand-
standing liabilities at the end OF the year amount
ed to s., 317. CO. leaving $122 81 as the amount
available at the beginning OF the present fiscal
year.